There are a ton of streaming options available nowadays, but they’re not all available in the same countries. Take Hulu, for instance. It provides a wide variety of on-demand content — even live TV — but it’s only available in the U.S. due to licensing agreements.

If you’re traveling outside the U.S. or reside in a country where Hulu isn’t available, this guide will show you how to watch Hulu with ExpressVPN. 

Key Takeaways:

• Hulu is only available in the U.S. due to licensing agreements. Its geo-restrictions are in place to stop people outside the U.S. from accessing its service and content.
• You can bypass Hulu’s restrictions by using a VPN and connecting to a U.S. server.
• Hulu requires a U.S. payment method on signup, but you can purchase a Hulu gift card and sign up with that instead.
• ExpressVPN is the best Hulu VPN. It consistently unblocks Hulu with its multiple U.S. server locations and provides fast streaming speeds and unlimited bandwidth.

Many of our other best VPNs are capable of accessing Hulu, but ExpressVPN is the best when it comes to reliability. It has some of the fastest VPN speeds and is easy to use too. In this guide, we’ll provide detailed steps, so you can watch Hulu with ExpressVPN, as well as some troubleshooting methods for if things don’t quite go to plan. Let’s get into it.

How to Watch Hulu With ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is easy to set up, and you can get connected to a U.S. server quickly. The following steps will walk you through setting up the VPN, purchasing a Hulu gift card and finally accessing Hulu.

1. Sign Up for ExpressVPN

   Go to ExpressVPN’s website and sign up. The 12-month plan is the cheaper option in the long run and there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied.

   

2. Download the ExpressVPN App

   Once you’ve signed up, download the ExpressVPN app onto the device you want to use to watch Hulu. Note that some streaming devices and smart TVs — like LG TV and Samsung TV — don’t natively support VPN apps. You can usually download the VPN directly to both an Android TV and a Fire TV Stick, but for others, you can easily cast from your mobile device or set the VPN up in a different way.

   

3. Connect to a Server in the U.S.

   Click on the three dots and find a server in the U.S. Then click on the big “on” button to connect to it.

   

4. Buy a Hulu Gift Card

   You can only sign up for Hulu directly if you have a U.S. payment method or U.S. PayPal account. You can also sign up through the Apple Store with a gift card, so long as you have a U.S. Apple ID. If you don’t have a U.S. payment method, you can buy a Hulu gift card from MyGiftCardSupply and sign up that way.

   

5. Redeem Your Hulu Gift Card

   Once you’ve purchased your Hulu gift card, go to the Hulu website and redeem your gift card. After that, go through the usual signup process. Note that once your gift card balance runs out, your account will be canceled if you don’t add another form of payment. You can simply buy another Hulu gift card, though.

   

6. Start Watching Hulu

   Now you can start streaming Hulu content from wherever you are in the world. Just remember to always connect to one of ExpressVPN’s servers in the U.S. before accessing Hulu, and you’re good to go.

   

Does Hulu Work With ExpressVPN?

Yes, ExpressVPN can unblock Hulu easily and it’s our top VPN for Hulu. Much like other streaming platforms, such as Netflix and Max, Hulu tries its best to block VPNs and other unblocking tools to keep in line with distribution rights. 

A virtual private network will help you hide your true IP address and mask it with a new one. To access Hulu, you need to connect to a U.S. server to get a U.S. IP address. 

However, it takes a reliable VPN provider to bypass streaming services’ geoblocks, and ExpressVPN is one of the best. By rotating its pool of IP addresses, you’re less likely to come across one that’s blocked and its WebRTC leak prevention ensures that your true IP address isn’t leaked.

Why You Need a VPN to Access Hulu Outside the USA

Geo-restrictions exist with pretty much any streaming platform. For instance, BBC iPlayer is only available in the U.K., and even though Amazon Prime Video is available in many countries, the available content can differ by region.

Geoblocks are there to stop you from watching specific content in specific regions — which can include the whole service. It all boils down to distribution rights and copyright laws: A streaming service has to have streaming rights to air content in certain regions.

Hulu’s streaming rights only apply to the U.S., so it can’t be accessed from any other country. Hulu uses your IP address to detect what country you’re in, and if you’re not in the U.S., you’ll be instantly blocked. That’s where a VPN comes in. By using one, you can dodge geoblocks and access content from around the globe.

Hulu Not Working Over ExpressVPN

If you connect with ExpressVPN but still can’t access Hulu, there are a few simple fixes you can try. 

Even good VPNs like ExpressVPN can’t always avoid being detected. If Hulu detects that an IP address is associated with a VPN, it’ll block it. If that happens, all you need to do is switch to a different U.S. server to obtain another IP address and try again. It’s also a good idea to ensure that you have the latest version of ExpressVPN installed, so you’re up to date with any bug fixes and other important updates.

Another tip is to double-check that your location has actually changed. You can do this by searching for something on Google and scrolling to the bottom of the results page. There you will see what Google recognizes as your current location. If it hasn’t changed, try reconnecting with ExpressVPN. 

If you’re still not having any luck, it’s likely that Hulu is able to detect your true IP address somehow. This is usually because it’s saved in your cache, so clearing your cache on the browser should solve your issue. Using a private browser can help prevent Hulu and other streaming services from learning your IP address in the first place.

Your DNS cache could also be creating a problem. You can clear your DNS cache via the Command Prompt in Windows or the Terminal on MacOS. For Windows, you need to type in ipconfig/flushdns and press enter. For MacOS, you need to type in sudo dscacheutil -flushcache;sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder, enter your Mac’s password and press enter.

Final Thoughts

Watching Hulu from outside the U.S. is possible with a decent VPN like ExpressVPN. All you need to do is connect to a server in the United States and sign up. Signing up to Hulu can be the trickiest part because you need a U.S. payment method, but you can easily purchase a Hulu gift card and sign up that way.

If you prefer your movies and TV shows on the big screen, read our guide on how to get Hulu on TV. Our entertainment archive is full of guides on how to watch Hulu movies and TV shows such as Prison Break.

Have you used a VPN to access Hulu outside of the U.S.? If so, which VPN did you use? Which method did you use to sign up for one of Hulu’s plans? Let us know in the comment section and, as always, thanks for reading.

FAQ

• How Can I Watch Hulu Outside the US?

  You can easily watch Hulu with a VPN outside of the U.S. Simply sign up for a VPN, such as ExpressVPN, and connect to a U.S. server. That’ll make Hulu think you’re actually located in the U.S. The second hurdle is the payment method because it needs to be a U.S. one, but there are plenty of Hulu gift cards you can purchase to sign up with.

• Can I Use ExpressVPN to Watch Hulu?

  Yes, ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs for watching Hulu. It can bypass Hulu’s geoblocks easily and has fast enough speeds to provide a smooth streaming experience.